Trip logger

Abstract

An accessory device for vehicles, such as automobiles and light trucks, that automatically creates a log of all trips taken by the vehicle. The log includes date, time, odometer reading, stopping location, and miles traveled from previous stop. The device produces a log in a format that meets the regulation of tax collecting agencies and accounting firms regarding the separation of mileage by personal use and business use. The device allows a user to purge the log as desired.

1 . A device producing data of vehicle operations suitable for a tax collecting agency, comprising:
 a module receiving external power, said module receiving inputs, and said module providing outputs;   said inputs including odometer readings, vehicle status indicators, and alphanumeric characters; and,   said output including data identifying the mileage between a plurality of paired locations upon a route traveled by a vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said module including a memory, and a processor receiving said inputs and producing said outputs; and,   a keypad in communication with said processor.   
   
   
       3 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said inputs including GPS location fix data.   
   
   
       4 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  wherein said odometer readings are digital. 
   
   
       5 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said output including an LCD display proximate said module.   
   
   
       6 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said output including a port suitable for connection to an external device; and,   said output providing date, time, location code, odometer readings, miles traveled, and a usage code denoting at least personal and business usages.   
   
   
       7 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said module receiving an input from said vehicle status indicators, logging the date, time, and odometer reading at the start of one of a day or a trip, receiving alphanumeric characters from a keypad for association with the start of a day or a trip, logging odometer readings from time to time during operation of a vehicle, creating a record of the date, time, odometer reading, and alphanumeric code at one of an interval during a trip, at the end of the day, or when a vehicle stops, matching the record when a vehicle stops with the record at the start of a day or trip, and providing output of mileage and usage upon command of a user.   
   
   
       8 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said module having an internal power source including a battery and a clock.   
   
   
       9 . The vehicle data producing device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said vehicle status indicators including a vehicle ignition switch status and a transmission drive selector.   
   
   
       10 . A method of producing a log of data regarding vehicle operations suitable for a tax collecting agency using a processor, comprising:
 receiving an input from one of a vehicle ignition switch or a transmission drive selector and logging said input within said processor;   logging the date, time, and odometer reading at the start of one of a day or a trip within said processor;   receiving alphanumeric characters from a keypad into said processor for association with the start of a day or a trip;   logging odometer readings from time to time during operation of a vehicle within said processor;   creating a record of the date, time, odometer reading, and alphanumeric code within said processor at one of an interval during a trip, when a vehicle stops, or at the end of a day or a vehicle trip;   matching the record when a vehicle stops with the record at the start of a day or trip by said processor; and,   providing output of mileage and usage from said processor upon command of a user.